The 12 panels of the lehenga were hand painted on a special Italian canvas. (Image: Instagram)
Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla collaborate with artist-sculptor Jayasri Burman and celebrity fashion stylist Rhea Kapoor to create Radhika’s Shubh Aashirwad ensemble.
Art and fashion create a heartwarming narrative in Radhika Merchant’s Shubh Aashirwad ensemble. The vibrant and colourful hand painted Abu Jani Sandeep Lehenga, was envisioned by celebrity stylist Rhea Kapoor and the art was brought to life by Indian artist and sculptor Jayasri Burman.
Looking like a vision in the artistic ensemble, Radhika’s lehenga featured 12 panels which were hand-painted on a special Italian canvas. This creative collaboration of Abu Sandeep, Rhea and Jayasri was a celebration where Art met Couture. The ensemble conveyed the joy of new beginnings and the excitement of living with the love of your life.
“Radhika is a gorgeous young lady and her smile illuminates an entire room! It is our intention to make her the happiest bride with this outfit. We are honoured to have been a part of this collaboration that features the ideal juxtaposition of hand-embroidery with art. Because art and fashion have always been lovers. One cannot exist without the other. And so it becomes the perfect ode to the perfect couple that is Anant and Radhika,” expresses designer duo Abu Sandeep. The canvas lehenga’s dominant pink colour is one that Sandeep Khosla refers to as the ‘Ambani pink’ because the Ambani ladies adore this particular shade and carry it with utmost grace. The shade is also a colour of celebration, beauty and auspiciousness. Jayasri has layered multiple colours to achieve the desired depth in it.
Featuring Jayasri’s quintessential mythical aesthetic, the garment celebrated Anant Ambani’s union with Radhika through deeply meaningful imagery. The human figures representing the happy couple radiated a celestial aura that honoured the divinity in their humanity. The fauna depicts Anant’s fondness for animals, particularly elephants that are considered auspicious and beautiful. The lotuses in their blushing hue convey a sublime ode to the purity of the couple’s hearts. They are also the flowers identified with Abu Sandeep’s signature style. “Jayasri comments “Abu Sandeep are artists. The only difference is that their medium is couture while mine is canvas. Both Rhea and Abu Sandeep gave me total creative freedom and understood my essence as an artist. I found my brush dancing all over the canvas. My only hope now is that it inspires a smile on Radhika’s face and maybe someday, we’ll even see it hanging on her wall!,” shares Jayasri.
Rhea Kapoor, who styled Radhika, suggested the idea and Abu Sandeep were thrilled to create the literal work of art with Jayasri. “Rhea adds “It’s an honour and privilege to work with three legendary artists. Jayasri Burman, Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. I have been dreaming of creating something like this for almost a decade but never actually thought it would become a reality. I am forever humbled by the experience and grateful to my beautiful muse Radhika and everyone involved.”
The craftsmanship featured meticulous hand embroidery of real gold zardozi. A glittering sea of sequins shines over the most intricate spaces of Jayasri’s art. Radhika paired the lehenga with a blouse hand embroidered entirely in resham by master craftsmen at Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla.
